In Utah

[fenchurch]

Let me just say, once again, how happy I am that I decided to fly down for this visit, rather than drive. I got here late last night (my flight ended up being delayed nearly 45 minutes, so it was even later than I'd planned) and for the first time in my life, I missed watching out the window as the plane landed. I knew we were starting down, but I figured we still had a bit to go since I hadn't heard the landing gear come out... and I'm finally reading Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher (I bought the book right after it came out, but due to the car accident, couldn't actually hold the book to read it... and then sort of forgot to get back to it), which is fairly engrossing. Apparently quite engrossing, because the plane suddenly had a huge jolt and I thought "What in the world was that?!?!" and then realized that we were on the ground. Heh.

I spent today doing a bit of running around with a borrowed car before the big storm swept in. Picked up some groceries to hopefully eat at least somewhat healthy this week, stopped by one of my favorite used book stores and snagged a beat-up copy of The Peace War to read after I finish with Harry Dresden (I was telling my PT about the Vinge series at my appointment yesterday and it got me wanting to do a reread). The storm hit with a vengeance this evening and is currently dumping snow all around us. On the plus side: My in-laws have a fantastic hot tub (outdoor but with a roof) and sitting in a tub of hot, bubbling water while the wind whips big fluffy snowflakes around you is probably one of the best things ever. Minus side, of course, is: SNOW. Lots of snow. Fortunately I most likely won't have to drive in it tomorrow. But still, yuck.

I decided to give one of my local favorites (Chuck-a-Rama (yes, I know)) a try for lunch today, figuring I could make something light for dinner if I went too far overboard (I'm a masochist and I'm actually going to try to adhere to The Diet while I'm here... wish me luck!), and it wasn't too bad. I ate a bit more in the way of fruit and vegetables and I steadfastly avoided the scones (btw, these are not like English scones... they're their own variety of Utah cuisine... sort like a cross between Navajo fry bread and a beignet, usually served with honey butter), which was not easy! And I managed to come through it with a nice average of WW points for a meal. Go me!

And then my in-laws said "Hey! Let's go out for dinner... you love Bombay House! We'll go there." So, quick to the bat-browser. I looked up some of my favorite dishes and ended up having a fantastic dinner while managing to eek through the day only going over my daily points by .5 (yep, one half of a point). Not too shabby. And now I have yummy leftover chicken vindaloo waiting for me for breakfast!

Tomorrow is the first day of Life, the Universe and Everything 26 (when the heck did it get to be that high a number?!?! I ran LTUE 9 when I was still a student here and it just doesn't seem like it was that long ago). For those not in the know, it's an annual academic symposium on SF&F held at BYU and is the largest event of its kind in the world (being run at a University, by students... it's also the largest student run event on campus and has been pretty much since its inception). I've tried to get back down here for it every year since we moved away but have missed the last two due to, well, recovering from the car accident. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Comments

Hi

[(Anonymous)]

Wish I had the time and money to make it back there for LTUE again. I miss being there. Please say hello to everyone for me. *hugs*

Holly

[celedraug.livejournal.com]

*snif*

You went, and I wish I was there...Levine is a fun author to read.

As with Holly, please tell folks 'ello!

*hugs*

Jonnalyhn

[geojlc.livejournal.com]

wow. how did I miss out on that when I was at BYU? I've only been out for 9 years, so it sounds like it was going on... :-)

course, I was dang busy, and it is a big campus with lots going on, so maybe it's not that hard to figure... :-)

Sounds like fun though!

[geojlc.livejournal.com]

you'd think I'd figure out how to use my tags properly... dang lack of edit button... :-)

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

I wondered about that (whether you'd ever gone to the Symposium) because you don't look familiar and your name didn't ring any bells either... and I pretty much knew everyone (even if only slightly) who was in the SF&F community at BYU. I think during the time you were there, the SF&F club wasn't actually going (it had a few years downtime, although I hear it's back up and running again), but The Leading Edge (http://www.leadingedgemagazine.com/) magazine would have definitely been around.

I'm kinda sad you missed the Symposium while you were here! It's great fun and a quite a bit different from your average convention.

[geojlc.livejournal.com]

I recognize the name leading edge, although I don't think I ever got it. I also had to pretty much stop reading pleasure books (of which fantasy and sci-fi count to me) during college or I wouldn't do any homework... :-)

I was there from 94-99

[geojlc.livejournal.com]

but my sister is there now and I just told her about it. So maybe she'll show up for at least part of it... :-)

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

And it's still snowing like gangbusters. I'm going to have to get up at silly o'clock in the morning to make it on time for the first panel. Gah.

*uses Schlock icon because Howard's going to be there*

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

Dang. Be careful in all that snow!

And remember, WW isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle. You just need to figure out how to enjoy food without going crazy overboard with it. And experiences like this help you learn that.

Have fun!

[ayinhara.livejournal.com]

LTUE sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy.

[pmgoose.livejournal.com]

sitting in a tub of hot, bubbling water while the wind whips big fluffy snowflakes around you is probably one of the best things ever

That sounds SO cool!

Wow, good luck staying on WW while on vacation. And congrats for only going .5 points over for the day! That's amazing!!

[ciarrainic.livejournal.com]

And just think, there's more snow today! With wind too!

[jedihealer.livejournal.com]

Have fun! Looks like a great gathering of folks.

[nmissi.livejournal.com]

I hope you're having a marvelous time right now; can't wait to hear all about the symposium when you get home. Sounds like a fabulous fun way to spend your Valentine holiday!

Hugs to both you and Mitch. I miss you!